The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited two Florida construction contractors and proposed total penalties of $117,550 after inspecting a job site in Lake Worth, Florida. - Full Story

On-the-job deaths by Florida workers soared more than 20 percent last year even though fatal work injuries nationwide rose a mere 2 percent in 2004. Worse, as Florida deaths increased by double digits, worker deaths in California and Texas declined last year by 9 and 10 percent, respectively. The result: Florida moved from its usual slot at No. 3 past California to rank No. 2 among states last year in the grim rankings of workplace deaths. Texas remained No. 1 with 440 job deaths. - Full Story

Miami-based Burger King Corp. must pay a franchisee out of its own pocket for settling intentional discrimination claims because its insurer is not liable for such claims, a federal judge held in Burger King Corp. v. Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. (No. 04-20540, S.D. Fla.). The court specifically held that a CGL policy clearly and unambiguously bars coverage for intentional discrimination claims. Thus, U.S. Judge Patricia A. Seitz of the Southern District of Florida granted summary judgment to Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. and denied summary judgment to Burger King Corp. (BKC). - Full Story

A man who held an Orange County family hostage is now in custody. - Full Story

A construction worker got trapped in a five-foot deep trench for about an hour Wednesday in the intense heat. - Full Story